The pair of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs, which will be part of a Jordanian reconnaissance squadron, were ordered in July 2010 by the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau, the independent military-civilian research and development arm of the Jordanian military.

Under the 2010 deal, Schiebel also will provide in-country technical support, maintenance and operator and maintainer training, the company says.

The VTOL S-100 can operate day or night in all weather, navigating with pre-programmed GPS coordinates or being flown by a pilot on the ground. It has a range of up to 108nm (200km) and can carry 34kg (75lb) payloads for up to 6h in its standard configuration.

The Jordanian UAVs will be outfitted with L-3 Wescam MX-10 electro-optical/infrared payloads for reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence missions.